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Modern Centerpieces

MODERN STYLE

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”

Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.

Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chaircrafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.

It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.

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Style: Modern
Period: 20th Century
Large Italian Parcel-Gilt, Silver, and Hardstone Centrepiece from Milan, C.1980
By Fabbrica Argenteria Fiorentina
Located in London, GB
Large Italian parcel-gilt, silver, and hardstone centrepiece from Milan, c.1980 Italian, Late 20th Century Weight: 14.064 kg Height 40cm, width 69cm, depth 52cm Bearing the mark of Argenteria Fiorentini & Spertini, of Milan, c.1980, this magnificent centrepiece is a large, extensive, parcel-gilt, silver, and precious stone sculpture demonstrating the quality of Italian and particularly Milanese decorative metalwork from the late twentieth century.   It is mounted on a oval-shaped base which is cast with rocaille, and is raised on eight wide-ribbon scrolled feet. This is turn is centred by a large, bright, immaculately veneered malachite central oval, and it is mounted variously around the side with a series of carved hardstone fruits. The central dish, with further everted ribbon scrolls, is supported by a series of four gilt pegasus sculptures...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Malachite, Silver

Set of Four Stoneware Bowls in Shino Style by Warren Mackenzie
Located in Atlanta, GA
A set of four stoneware tea bowl by American ceramist Warren Mackenzie (1924-2018). The bowls were potted free-handed with slightly irregular circular shape. Presented as two pairs, ...
Category

20th Century American Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of glass centerpieces in the style of Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, IT
Elegant pair of centerpieces made of thick glass using a hand-tabbed technique. The pair is in the style of the great Fontana Arte manufacture made in the 1980s. In the pair we find ...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Art Glass

Modern Mirror Polished Chrome and Brass Centerpiece Bowl Art Deco Machine Age
Located in Ft Lauderdale, FL
A modern mirror polished chrome and brass centerpiece bowl Art Deco machine age A modern mirror polished chrome and brass centerpiece bowl c. 1990's Sally Sirkin Lewis for J. Robe...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Wood-Fired Ceramic Vase by Paul Chaleff
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stoneware vase by Paul Chaleff (1947-) made in 1984. Chaleff is known for his wood fired ceramic vessel without glaze or sometimes natural ash glaze. The vase on offer is of a highly geometrical form with handcut multifaceted lower body that rises and morphs into a rounded upper body with two hand-molded ears above the shoulder. The surface shows nice firing color variations due to the iron oxidation in the kiln and also carved lines left intentionally by the artist. It is marked with the artist's incised signature and date 84. This piece has a very strong Japanese wabi-sabi appeal which is the aesthetic influence of the artist's work and makes a visually arresting center piece for any interior. "Paul Chaleff is known for his large-scale wood fired ceramic sculptures and vessels. He also created a large body of wheel thrown functional vessels. His vessels are strongly influenced by Japanese pottery, especially the work of one of Japan’s National Living Treasures, Takeshi Nakazato. Chaleff was one of the first American potters using a Japanese style Anagama kiln and became a leader in the introduction of this form of wood-burning kiln. In 1989, he began a regular collaboration with the British sculptor Sir Anthony Caro. Over a period of thirteen years, they created nearly 50 works, both figurative and abstract. Caro’s sculpture has had direct influence on Chaleff’s work as has the sculpture of Isamu Noguchi, and the ceramics of John Mason...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Ceramic

1983 Haldon Group Aluminum Footed Sunflower Basket Pedestal Compote
Located in Dayton, OH
1983 Vintage The Haldon Group cast aluminum footed centerpiece bowl or compote featuring low relief floral Sunflower design with scalloped basket weave ed...
Category

1980s Vintage Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Aluminum

Large Glazed Ceramic Dish. Signed "Dorrit" May 97"
Located in Kastrup, DK
Large unique glazed ceramic dish. White base, decorated with blue and light green. Made by Dorrit May Dorrit May worked with the Danish cera...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Ceramic

Large Precious Stone and Silver-Gilt Flower Model by Asprey
Located in London, GB
A large precious stone and silver-gilt flower model by Asprey. English, 20th century. Measures: 47cm high x 14cm wide x 12 cm depth. Crafted ...
Category

20th Century English Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Rock Crystal, Gold Plate, Silver

Murano Glass Bowl with 24ct Gold and Murrine, Attributed to Alberto Donà
Located in Villaverla, IT
Murano glass bowl with 24ct gold and murrine, attributed to Alberto Donà. This is a uniquely refined glass bowl, made by the famous Italian glassmaker Alber...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Gold

Large Bruno Munari Maldive Tray
Located in Chicago, IL
Large center piece silver tray designed by Bruno Munari in 1960, manufactured by Danese Milan, in the collection of MoMA and the Metropolitan Museum...
Category

1960s Vintage Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Silver

Milanese Sterling Silver 20th Century Fountain Centrepiece
Located in London, GB
A Milanese sterling silver 20th century fountain centrepiece Measures: Height: 33cm, width: 47cm, depth: 42cm. This stunning centrepiece is an Italian sterling silver fountain, made in Milan in the twentieth century. The piece, set on fish-shaped legs, and decorated with mythical sea-monsters from whose mouths the water flows, consists of a rectangular shaped basin divided into four shell-shaped quadrants which are adorned with small silver crabs. A smaller basin...
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Sterling Silver

Amazing Modern, Lalique Flower Centerpiece, France, 1980
Located in Catania, IT
Incredible decorative Centerpiece in Lalique crystal, signed, with Floral decorations on the edges, circa 20th century, France. The Item is from the French luxury crystal manufacture...
Category

1980s French Vintage Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Crystal

Stuart Clear Cut Crystal Bowl in the Hampshire Pattern-England
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This vintage handsome clear cut crystal bowl is by Stuart Glass and the pattern is "Hampshire". This high quality piece of crystal is vertical cut and signed on the base (see photo)....
Category

Mid-20th Century English Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Crystal

Italian Amber-Color Murano Glass Amphora, 1980s, Venice
Located in Villaverla, IT
Italian amber-color Murano glass amphora, 1980s, Venice. This amazing creation clearly owes to the Venetian love of beauty and art. Entirely made with blown amber-color glass in the...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Cut Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass, Glass

Blue Vintage Murano Glass Centerpiece by Alberto Donà, 1980s Italy
Located in Villaverla, IT
Blue vintage Murano glass centerpiece by Alberto Donà, 1980s Italy. This superb Venetian centerpiece steals the scene, thanks to its vivid color ...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Cut Glass, Murano Glass

Italian Modern Round Bowl Centerpiece in Black Painted Metal, 1990s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Round bowl centerpiece in black painted metal, 1990s Vintage round bowl in black painted metal. The central part consists of a hemisphere with a protruding profile, r...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Metal

Italian Modern Glazed Ceramic Centerpiece by Baldelli, 1990s
Located in MIlano, IT
Ceramic centerpiece by Baldelli, 1990s Centerpiece in glazed ceramic composed of a teal conical structure on a gray hemisphere. Made by Baldelli in the 1990s. Good condition, som...
Category

Early 1900s Italian Antique Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Ceramic

Barovier et Toso Murano Glass Dish
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This large scale, violet colored Murano glass dish dates to the 1980s and was created by Barovier et Toso. Note: The piece retains its origianl ma...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Murano Glass

Ceramic Centerpiece Vessel in Sculptural Form Warren Mackenzie
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine studio ceramic vessel with exceptional sculptural form by American potter Warren Mackenzie (1924-2018). In a barrel shape with slightly concaved wall, the centerpiece sta...
Category

20th Century American Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Ceramic

Maurice Heaton 3pcs Art glass Large centerpiece and bowls
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nice set of Centerpiece and bowl plus side dish in some kind of square shape. All pieces signed MH , for the well known Swiss/American artist Mauri...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Glass

Polish Hand Blown Modern Free Form Blue Art Glass Centerpiece Shell Bowl Poland
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage hand blown free form studio art glass bowl in blue and white, abstractly reminiscent of a seashell, made in Poland.   
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Art Glass

Centerpiece Dish by Christofle
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Silver plate dish by Christofle made in France. Dish measures 17" wide, 6.75" deep and 1.75" high.
Category

1990s French Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Silver Plate

1980s Modernist Heavy Glass and Silver Plate Square Italian Tray
Located in Aci Castello, IT
An Italian Design square tray, it's marked on a side, silver plated and heavy verde Nilo glass are in perfect conditions, the silver plated detachable part facilitates cleaning the item. This tray is a unique and elegant piece of serveware that is perfect for entertaining or displaying items...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Silver Plate

Bowl “Medusa III” by Borek Sipek for Driade
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Bowl by borek Sipek for Driade Circa 1996 The asymmetrical base is the characteristic of this bowl.
Category

1990s Italian Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Art Glass

Lladro Porcelain Pheasant Centerpiece Vase, 1970s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Lladró porcelain pheasant centerpiece / planter by Vicente Martinez. Beautiful porcelain pheasant figurine centerpiece or planter in blue, cobalt blu...
Category

Late 20th Century Spanish Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Porcelain

Rosenthal Germany Crystal center Piece or Bowl
Located in Plainview, NY
A Rosenthal crystal center piece or bowl. This lovely piece by the German maker is signed " Rosenthal Germany" . The crystal center piece or bowl ...
Category

1990s German Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Crystal

Pair of Buccellati Sterling Silver Octopus Seafood Shell Bowls
Located in New York, NY
Pair of dramatic sterling silver seafood serving bowls. Made by Buccellati in Italy. Each: Two joined scallop-shells bowls on scallop-shell supports. A...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Sterling Silver

Vase by Kosta Boda, Sweden, Glass, C 1990, Pink, Black and Yellow Colors
Located in New York, NY
Decorative large vase by Kosta Boda, Sweden, circa 1990. The vase is hand painted.
Category

1990s Swedish Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Art Glass

"Yu-Shuang" Cristal White Center Piece by Kazuhiko Tomita For Arcade Murano 1993
By Kazuhiko Tomita
Located in Weesp, NL
Stunning hand blown and hand cut 3 layered glass, crystal - white - crystal, frosted in acid pool. Designed by Kazuhiko Tomita for Arcade, Murano, Venice 1...
Category

1990s Japanese Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Crystal

Buccellati Dramatic Sterling Silver Octopus Seafood Shell Bowl
Located in New York, NY
Dramatic sterling silver seafood serving bowl. Made by Buccellati in Italy. Two joined scallop-shells bowls on scallop-shell supports. A traditional fo...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Sterling Silver

Seguso Vetre d'Arte Compote
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Mid-Century Modern Seguso Vetre d'Arte Compote - Hand made by Artisan - from a Palm Beach estate. This is the largest of the set of 3 from the estate's personal collection. Be...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Murano Glass

Pair of Seguso Vetre d'Arte Compotes
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Seguso Vetre d'Arte Compotes - Hand made by Artisans - from a Palm Beach estate. These are not mechanical exact copies but show slightly different sizes a...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Murano Glass

Italian Ceramic Vessel by Guido Gambone
Located in Atlanta, GA
A sculptural ceramic vessel by Italian designer Guido Gambone (1909-1969) circa 1950s. The stoneware of dove shape is an open vessel in form. The surface is decorated with geometrica...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Ceramic

Italian Murano Glass Centerpiece by Alfredo Barbini
Located in Milan, Italy
Murano glass centerpiece designed and produced by Alfredo Barbini in 1970. Signed and with original labels. Biography Alfredo Barbini (1912-2007) one of the greatest Murano glas...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Murano Glass

James Lovera Monumental Centerpiece Pottery / Footed Bow, Lava/ Volcanic Glaze
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very unusual square/round, shape centerpiece by the well known California potter. Has an olive green volcanic /lava glaze and brown under, signed Lovera. Note; one corner it goes as ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Pottery, Ceramic

Archimede Seguso Large Vetri d'Arte Centerpiece/ Bowl, Murano Glass, Opalescent
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great very large, centerpiece/ bowl by the well known glass Murano master Seguso, signed Vetri D'arte as shown. Nice opalescent / white glass ribbed Iridato glass.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Glass, Art Glass

Mexican 925 Sterling Large Swan Bowl Centerpiece
Located in Guaynabo, PR
A silver swan bowl centerpiece that has a long stylized neck and its bowl body is decorated with a garland of repousse scrolls. The centerpiece sits i...
Category

20th Century Mexican Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Sterling Silver

Coral Red Murano Glass Bowl with 24-Karat Gold Attributed to Donà, 1990s
Located in Villaverla, IT
Coral red Murano glass artistic bowl with 24-karat gold, attributed to Alberto Donà, 1990s. This is a unique art piece, entirely handmade with blown glass in the Italian island of M...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Gold

Mexican Modernist Silver Tray by Antonio Pineda
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Mexican modernist sterling silver tray by well known silversmith Antonio Pineda (1919-2009). The handsome silver tray with a subtle hammered surface was crown marked by the artist's logo circa 1953-1979, made in his studio in Taxco, Mexico. It was further stamped with Eagle 17 and Hecho en Mexico / 930. The oval tray presents itself with an abstract design with a leaf-like handle with a string of beaded...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Silver

Lorin Marsh Modern Contemporary Elongated Patch Art Glass Bowl Centerpiece
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Lorin Marsh modern large Italian contemporary elongated patch art glass multicolored bowl centerpiece Dimensions: 4.5" H x 28.5" W x 12.5" D.
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Art Glass

Wood-Fired Ceramic Jar Paul Chaleff
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large stoneware jar by Paul Chaleff (1947-) made in 1987 and was purchased directly from the artist's studio in New York. Wood fired ceramic vessel with handcut lower body and pron...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Ceramic

Sterling Silver Double Walled Hand-Hammered Bowl by Graziella Laffi
Located in Stamford, CT
A sterling silver double walled bowl with hand-hammered texture, raised on a circular foot. By Graziella Laffi, Lima Peru, circa 1970.       
Category

1970s Peruvian Vintage Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Sterling Silver

Lorin Marsh Modern Contemporary Elongated Patch Art Glass Murano Centerpiece
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful Lorin Marsh modern contemporary elongated patch art glass Murano centerpiece Measures: 28" L x 12" W x 5" H.
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Art Glass

Luis Felipe Perez, 999° Silver Centerpiece Bowl, 20th Century
Located in New York, NY
A very elegant and sophisticated 999° silver centerpiece or bowl decorated with three birds by perimeter, was made by high-end jewelry designer and silversm...
Category

1990s American Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Silver

Contemporary Glass “Vortex" Sculptural Vase by, Kit Karbler & Michael David
Located in Englewood, NJ
A contemporary American Studio art glass layered cut and polished handcrafted “Vortex” sculptural vessel by, Kit Karbler & Michael David of B...
Category

Late 20th Century North American Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Art Glass

Silver Centerpiece
Located in Milan, Italy
Silver leaf. Signed. Weight 320 g.   
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Silver

Italian Cast Aluminum and Brass Fish Centerpiece, 1970s
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Whimsical cast aluminum and brass centerpiece or platter of impressive size and detail; excellent vintage condition.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

Glazed Ceramic Vase by Franco Bucci for Laboratorio Pesaro, Italy, 1970s
Located in Milan, IT
Ceramic centerpiece by Franco Bucci for Laboratorio Pesaro. Movable top reveals the inside shape of the lower element. Another piece by Franco Bucci available, as pictured in the ima...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Ceramic

Gabriele Puetz 'Kleine Einschlafhilfe' Pillow German Art Pottery Sculpture # 1/5
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Gabriele Pütz abstract realism ceramic artwork made in Germany, 1982. This work is called 'Einschlafhilfe' (sleeping aid) and is in the form of a pillow (kissen) with German numbers ...
Category

1980s German Vintage Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Ceramic

Ercole Barovier Murano Glass and Gold Centerpiece for Artistica Barovier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very nice and elegant early Murano glass bowl, by Ercole Barovier.
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Art Glass

Modern Art Glass signed heavy Centerpiece by Schlamer 1996
Located in Miami, FL
Modern heavy centerpiece made out of aqua green tint frosted art glass. Signed and dated by Artist; Schlamer 1996.   
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Art Glass

Modernist Large Square Art Glass Centerpiece Dish and Base
Located in Montreal, QC
Fabulous Dynamic Large square Art Glass centerpiece; slumped glass bowl with wide cast frosted glass vermicular border, floating on separate square ba...
Category

1990s Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Glass

Three 1950s Venini Spiraling Obelisks
Located in New York, NY
A set of three spiraling clear-glass obelisks with red flame-like intrusions by Venini. All bearing faint acid-etched stamps that date them to the 1950s. They are 17, 14 1/4, and 14...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Glass

Modernist Two-Tiered Circular Brass and Glass Sculptural Centerpiece Vintage
Located in North Miami, FL
This wonderful sculptural centerpiece serving or display piece for any dining table or buffet is two-tiered. The solid brass pegs or legs attach each piece of glass. Pieces of sculpt...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Brass

Set of Two Ceramic Centerpieces by Emilio Scanavino for Cedit, Italy, 1970s
Located in Milan, IT
Rare set of two ceramic centerpieces by Emilio Scanavino for Cedit. Different shapes and decorations, this set features a limited/numbered edition piece. Size refers to the largest...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Ceramic

French Art Moderne Bronze Centerpiece with Two Female Figures
Located in New York, NY
French Art Moderne style bronze centerpiece with 2 female figures holding cut crystal bowl (signed LaROCHE)
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Bronze

Set of 5 Venini Murano Hand Blown Teal Teardrop Sculptures/Garniture on Bases
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This is an interesting collection of hand blown ribbed crystal finial-like sculptures made by Venini. Extremely well-matched in clear crystal in a teal shaded green. Each piece is mo...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Crystal

Italian modern Round centerpiece in black glass with light green spiral, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Round centerpiece in black glass with light green spiral, 1980s Vintage and elegant Centerpiece with a round base in black glass with several spiral lines in light gre...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Glass

Modern centerpieces for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern centerpieces for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage centerpieces created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern centerpieces made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original centerpieces, popular names associated with this style include Mosche Bianche, Ivan Colominas, Andrea Anastasio, and Barberini & Gunnell. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for centerpieces differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $70 and tops out at $153,375 while the average work can sell for $1,200.

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